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Belgium participates in the Chocolate Fair in Peru

From 6 to 9 July, the 8th Cocoa and Chocolate Fair was organized in Lima. Being a chocolate country par excellence, it was a matter of course for Belgium to participate.

It was no coincidence that the Cocoa and Chocolate Fair took place in Peru and that a great deal of attention was paid to the Belgian participation. Since a few years, Peru has been known as an emerging country with regard to the production of cocoa and its processing into chocolate. Belgium on the other hand – with its yearly chocolate consumption of almost 18 pounds per person – has since long been an internationally respected chocolate country. Moreover, part of those 18 pounds is of Peruvian origin as Belgium imported 15,000 tonnes of cocoa from Peru last year. By 2020 this import will have tripled. Our country sees major potential in the Peruvian market and freed up approximately 3 million euros of development funds for technical assistance to the Peruvian cocoa chain: production, processing, commercialization, etc. Thanks to this Belgian support, the quality of the cocoa as well as its international marketing in Peru have made significant progress. Hence, over 10,000 families saw their revenue increase.

Thanks to this Belgian support, the quality of the cocoa as well as its international marketing in Peru have made significant progress. Hence, over 10,000 families saw their revenue increase.

This cooperation is only one of the many projects that colour the Belgo-Peruvian relations. On the initiative of the Belgian Embassy in Lima, the ‘Belgicá Contigo’ campaign was launched last year, highlighting the successful cooperation between Belgium and Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and serving as a basis for an even stronger cooperation in the future. Even if the three South American countries will no longer be partner countries to the Belgian governmental development cooperation, the ties of friendship will remain.